Endangered Big Horn sheep moved via helicopter to better area in Yosemite

The Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep is the only federally endangered mammal in Yosemite. Before the park became a controlled tourist mecca, unregulated hunting, pneumonia and diseases from domestic sheep led to their decline. (All photos but the last (mine) credit Yosemite Conservancy/Steve Bumgardner)

The Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep is the only federally endangered mammal in Yosemite. Before the park became a controlled tourist mecca, unregulated hunting, pneumonia and diseases from domestic sheep led to their decline.

Big Horn being released

Nine ewes (females) and three rams (males) were moved from the Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Park to the Cathedral Range in Yosemite National Park. As recently as the year 2000, only 100 were counted. Today there are over 600. The sheep now have radio/GPS collars.

Yosemite Conservancy provided $126K which the NPS matched to provide the funding for this effort.

The multi-agency effort included: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks, Inyo National Forest, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sara Stock, the YNP Wildlife Ranger, led the park’s effort.

Unrelated thought worth quoting:“Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full! One for the master, one for the dame, and one for the little boy who lives down the lane.” – Children’s song

Nine ewes (females) and three rams (males) were moved from the Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Park to the Cathedral Range in Yosemite National Park. As recently as the year 2000, only 100 were counted. Today there are over 600. The sheep now have radio/GPS collars.

Yosemite Conservancy provided $126K which the NPS matched to provide the funding for this effort.

The multi-agency effort included: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks, Inyo National Forest, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sara Stock, the YNP Wildlife Ranger, led the park’s effort.

Unrelated thought worth quoting:“Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full! One for the master, One for the dame, And one for the little boy

About Mr Half Dome - Rick Deutsch

Mr Half Dome. Has written the only half dome hiking guide, One Best Hike: Yosemite's Half Dome. Has hiked it 31 times to day. Lives in San Jose, CA Available for presentations. Carpe Diem Experience, LLC